The arrogance on Vegeta and Nappa's faces was obvious the moment they landed.
It was the kind of expression that said they already believed the battle was over.
I muttered under my breath, barely loud enough for anyone else to hear.
"A prince of a lost planet… and a commander with no army. That's almost impressive."
Vegeta's head snapped toward me.
"What did you just say, woman?"
I met his glare calmly.
"Nothing important."
He scowled but didn't press the issue.
Then, just like in my memories, they began mocking Raditz.
"A Saibaman is stronger than that failure," Nappa laughed.
"Hard to believe he was one of us."
Vegeta smirked.
"If you struggled against him, then these creatures should be enough for you."
I clenched my fists.
If only you knew… Everyone here is already stronger than Raditz was back then.
The Saibamen Battle
I stayed on the sidelines, waiting.
Waiting for the moment I remembered too well.
And it came.
Yamcha defeated one of the Saibamen cleanly.
For a split second, everyone relaxed.
Then it happened.
The creature leapt at him, arms outstretched.
"Yamcha!" Krillin shouted.
Before it could self-destruct—
"Kamehameha!"
I fired instantly.
No charging. No hesitation.
The blue beam tore through the Saibaman and vaporized it midair.
Yamcha stared at me in shock.
"B–Bulma…?"
"Focus!" I snapped. "It's not over!"
Krillin reacted immediately.
"Kamehameha—split!"
His blast divided midair, slicing through the remaining Saibamen and destroying them all at once.
Dust settled.
Silence followed.
Nappa laughed.
"Tch. So the bugs are gone already."
His eyes scanned the battlefield.
"No sign of Kakarot, huh? Hiding? Or still crawling his way here?"
Then he glanced at Piccolo.
"A Namekian… Guess the Dragon Balls make sense now."
Vegeta remained quiet, watching.
Analyzing.
Nappa Enters the Fight
Nappa cracked his knuckles.
"Enough games. Let's end this."
Then he sneered.
"Actually… come at me together. Won't change a thing."
Chiaotzu floated forward.
"I'll hold him!"
His psychic power surged.
Nappa froze.
"Tch—what is this?!"
Yamcha, Tien, and Piccolo charged.
Their attacks landed in quick succession.
Punches. Kicks. Blows to the ribs.
Piccolo's kick struck Nappa's stomach hard.
For a moment, it looked like it worked.
Then—
Nappa roared.
His ki exploded outward.
A shockwave blasted everyone away.
"Gah!"
"Ugh!"
They crashed into the ground.
Before Nappa could move again—
"Destructo Disc!"
Krillin's attack flew toward him.
Nappa raised his arm to block—
"Dodge, you idiot!" Vegeta barked.
Nappa twisted at the last second.
The disc grazed his chin, drawing blood.
My eyes narrowed.
Now.
I had been charging quietly.
"Kamehameha!"
The blast slammed into Nappa's chest.
An explosion engulfed him.
Smoke and debris filled the air.
Everyone held their breath.
When it cleared—
Nappa stood there.
His armor was shattered.
Blood ran down his chest.
But he was still standing.
His eyes burned with rage.
"That… hurt."
He looked straight at me.
"You're dead."
He lunged.
Too fast.
No one could intercept him in time.
I took a breath.
It's time.
Raditz Returns
A shadow crossed in front of me.
Then—
BAM!
Nappa was sent flying.
He crashed across the ground, skidding to a halt.
Gasps echoed around the battlefield.
I looked up.
Raditz stood there.
One leg still extended from his kick.
Calm. Focused.
Nappa's eyes widened.
"R–Raditz?!"
Vegeta laughed coldly.
"So the failure crawled back."
He folded his arms.
"Stronger, maybe. But still not enough."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"You've learned to hide your power… just like these Earthlings."
Raditz smirked.
"Maybe."
He turned toward Nappa.
"How about we fight while we wait for Kakarot?"
Nappa growled.
"You think you can beat me?!"
Raditz shrugged.
"Better than standing around."
I met his gaze.
He looked at me briefly.
And smiled.
Got it, that smile said.
I'll stall. Just like you planned.
Behind us, the others were stunned.
"Raditz… is helping us?" Yamcha whispered.
"Since when…?" Tien muttered.
I crossed my arms quietly.
Hold on, Goku. Just a little longer.
The battle wasn't over yet.
But for the first time—
We were controlling the flow.